Light Tapas With Boursin Topped Flank Steak

Tonight I am doing another original recipe, combining a favorite cut of beef with a simple twist, served alongside a series of simple tapas dishes.

As always, simplicity is the foundation of all things great -- and so it is in this meal.

So, let's get to work .....

INGREDIENTS

Tapas:
- 2-3 sprigs fresh basil
- 1 medium tomato
- Block havarti or fresh mozzarella cheese for slicing
- olive oil
- 7-10 shrimp, peeled and de-veined with tail on
- red or white seedless grapes
- Block brie cheese
- 1 fresh carrot
- Chopped parsley
- For cocktail sauce: 1/4 ketchup (be upstanding and get something organic, k?!), a few dollops fresh prepared horseradish, green hot sauce (pick your fave), and fresh lime juice (squeeze to taste).

Meat:
- 1 Flank steak, seasoned with salt, pepper, crushed red pepper and drizzled with olive oil. Rub ingredients into meat (don't be a jerk! get your hands dirty ....)
- Boursin cheese

- 1 large bottle red wine

Open wine, pour glass, and start cooking!

First, set meat out to reach room temp. Then, make cocktail sauce: Combine ketchup, horseradish, hot sauce and lime juice. Stir to mix well, then place in fridge to keep cold.

Julienne carrot and place on plate with grapes and four slices brie cheese. Arrange artistically!















Slice tomato and arrange on plate, drizzling all with olive oil. Place slice of havarti or fresh mozzarella on each, as well as a basil leaf to top. Grind fresh black pepper on top and serve.















TO COOK SHRIMP FAST: place in bowl and microwave on low heat for 1:30 or so. This produces a clean, cooked shrimp. Place them on a plate, sprinkle chopped parsley over all, and serve with cocktail sauce.


THAT is the tapas course. Enjoy with wine.










NOW for the meat .....















Place in convection oven/conventional oven/broiler on 425, or grill with hood up on high heat. Cook to medium rare (that's right ... DON'T waste this cut!!!! The cow gave its life for you to eat it .... have some respect and don't burn it!!!) and let cool for two minutes after removing from heat. Spread boursin cheese on top of steak, covering completely. Slice into medium slices and serve with more wine.

Tonight's music: Parade and Around The World In A Day by Prince and the Revolution, Katy Lied and The Royal Scam by Steely Dan, Live at the Fillmore East by the Allman Brothers.

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